Rewrote my resume AGAIN last night
By scorpiobabes
@scorpiobabes (7225)
United States
December 12, 2012 9:23am CST
I've been looking for employment since February. I have been only employed part time since 2005, but now I really need to consider full time employment to repay my student loans. I've been searching in earnest since August, but only a very few responses. I was talking about my problems searching for a job with someone on CafeMom, and she asked me if I had looked at my resume carefully. I really thought it was my cover letter, but last night, I start looking up tips and realized I really DID need a lot of help.
Back in 2010, I went to a career workshop and received assistance with rewriting my resume. And that was what I used for a number of years, but recently I decided that I no longer wanted to work as a merchandiser. My jobs have been varied, anywhere from retail sales to secretary to graphic artist to merchandiser. Last night, I put a lot of thought into it, and realized that I DO have some supervisory experience, but not for any real length of time or with a title. I tried to highlight that. I was up until after 2 am working on it too, and plan to run it by some trusted people who DON'T know me in hopes of getting some pointers.
We're at a point that if I DON'T find a job soon here (within 10 miles), we're going to lose what little we have. I quit my last few positions because of health issues, so I'm ineligible for unemployment. There's tons of jobs in the paper or online, but so far-nothing! How frustrating this is! Every show that talks about job searching says to NOT show that you're desperate, but to be honest, it's pretty hard. I had thought back in August/September that I'd be a real estate agent by now, but we don't even have the money for me to take the second half of the examination, and I need money to pay for the additional costs required (insurance, advertising, etc.).
It's a never-ending circle!
2 people like this
9 responses
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I had to go back and really think of some of them. One year, I worked four jobs at once (all part time of course!), but I eliminated one because I was selling antiques at a local mall and I really wouldn't count it as a job anyway. I've been employed by a merchandising company since last November, but haven't really worked many jobs and took it off my resume.
I think it's almost ready now. I'm going to ask some neutral people with hiring experience to review it (minus my personal info) and give me some final suggestions. Hopefully it isn't too bad.
Good luck with your job search!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
12 Dec 12
I understand your frustration. I too am looking for work and it's not easy. I've basically been searching for 2 years. I was working part-time at a fast food place, and kept that job until I started working at the bank, where I've now been for 14 months. It's only part-time though. After my daycare costs I'm getting about $150 every other week.. then you have to factor in gas and other expenses. I'm still not helping much with the bills.
I'm finishing school in just a few days, so I've been on the look out for a job in my field. Many jobs will hire without experience or education, so I was hoping I could get an entry level position before I finished school so that I could gain some experience and work up to a better job.
So far though I haven't found that. I've only been on a few interviews. The one that seemed most hopeful wanted to give me less hours, less pay, and no benefits.. and I really couldn't leave my current job for that even if it did offer the experience I need. Because I still need to afford daycare.
After this school year my son won't need daycare anymore. He's only in school half days right now, so he does need daycare. In the summer my 15 year old watches him, and next year he'll be in full day school with my 15 year old watching him after school. So once school is done I will take whatever job I can get that will be in my field and offer me the experience I need.. even if it pays less.
Until then I'm hoping I can find something better than my current job. Either full time, or better pay for part-time. I can live without the benefits though paid vacation is very nice!
I will say though, I got my bank job through CareerBuilder.com. I didn't even have to try.. they saw my resume up there and called me and I ended up getting the job.
You may also want to check out career fairs. A friend of mine got her CNA job through a career fair so I'm looking for some in my area to help me find a job.. but I don't think they do them in the winter.
Good luck, I hope you find something soon!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
If my credit wasn't so poor, I'd probably be working now in insurance. You're fortunate that you'll have some assistance with watching your younger child. I've got a 19 year old, so childcare won't be a problem. I might try putting my resume (after I'm done fixing it) up on CareerBuilder again, but I've gotten offers for some really lousy jobs that were scams.
My biggest problem is that since 2005, I've only had part time jobs-and I even took quite a few off of my resume! And at least four companies are closed for business!
I don't think I've been to a career fair ever-I've either gone through agencies or the paper. I wouldn't feel comfortable fighting for those few jobs. I did just apply to a good one just a few blocks from home last weekend-I think I'll call and ask if they had a chance to review my resume yet. I took the time to ask the manager on duty questions about the position-it's a key holder position, and from what I understand, they're quite short handed. In my opinion, the store is a hot mess, and I know what I'd do with it, if I got the job. Thanks for the well wishes-I hope you get something good too!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I DID go and check in with the manager today at the job I applied to recently-she said that she hasn't begun interviewing yet (they're short 2 people, so what are they waiting for?), but she reviewed my information and will give me a call when they're ready.
I'm not really working now-I'm signed with a merchandising company that hasn't had work for me in the last three months. I took them off my resume because I haven't done much with them, but maybe I'll add them back in since I've been with them since last November. In my original resume, I had the three or four jobs I was at longer than five years. I didn't put exact dates because I did have months of unemployment for medical reasons. I have multiple sclerosis but have found that I need to hide it when job searching because so many people don't understand what it is.
As for my student loans, the college that I attended and took them out wants me back to finish my degree. I'm already $55k in debt now, and I'm only halfway there. The school that I graduated from is in New Jersey, and I don't know what kind of job placement program they have, but I'll check out their website online this evening-thanks for the idea!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I've gotten a lot of bad offers too from CareerBuilder.. but like I said, I got my bank job through there too..
Even though some of those companies are out of business, you can still list them on your resume if the job duties pertain to the sort of job you're looking for.
Are you working now? If you're worried about the way your resume looks as far as your job history.. I would probably just take any old job right now, even if it's just minimum wage, and stay there until you find another. That's what I did. I'd been a stay at home mom since 2001 when I was pregnant with the twins. So the first job I could get after all that was Subway. I stayed there for 10 months.. my plan was to stay until I got another job, which I did.. but that 10 months showed recent work history and that I could stay with a job for longer than a few months. Now I've been at the bank for 14 months so I've got the work history.. no problem. My problem is the lack of experience in the medical field.
You said you need to payback student loans.. so you went to college. Your college might help. Mine has a career department and they're helping by sending me job leads and looking over my resume to offer me tips and they'll have some career fairs. Look into it!
Good luck on the job you've just applied for.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 12
Where we live we have mass unemployment and we are still deep in the recession, people are getting laid off daily and businesses are going to the wall, competition has become fierce to get jobs, there are only a few jobs in the paper whereas before there would be pages and pages. It can be extremely frustrating and I wish you every success, I just hope your commitment pays off and you find a suitable position.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
There's a lot of unemployment in this region too, but my boyfriend doesn't want to consider moving somewhere so that we could afford to live. I remember ten years ago-the newspaper would run the Mega Jobs Section with thousands of jobs; now, they might have 50 to 75. I see where some jobs are coming in, but more are leaving every day. Thank you-I need to find something or else.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
13 Dec 12
I am also thinking of going back to work early next year but my health condition makes me worry about the job or position that I will get. The only job that I can get here in my country that won't look at my age or education is the call center industry. I have been searching for jobs in that field that is during the daytime, with no success. I can get a job anytime, but it will be on the graveyard shift again and my hypertension has been seesawing for the past few months. So it's either I swallow my pride and give in to the offers of a graveyard shift job, or continue living on the goodness of my brother who sends me an allowance each month.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
Does working the overnight shift really affect your hypertension that much? Right now, I'd have no problem working any shift, but my boyfriend and I share a car. That limits a lot of positions. I spoke to a temp agency recently that had a perfect position with great hours-it was third shift, near my boyfriend's job, but I could drop him off at work and pick him up as his shift ended each morning. They haven't called yet, so I'm back to looking. I have multiple sclerosis, so I'm not much help at a physical job, so I'm really looking for an office job, but I'm willing to try anything until I fall over. But my education level knocks me out of many of those jobs-they figure that because I have a degree, I think that those jobs aren't good enough for me, but that's not the case.
I wish you luck in whatever path you wish to take.
@celticeagle (166718)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Dec 12
I don't think you have to show any desperation but a real willingness to work. Any hours, any title to enter, etc. I would do a resume for every job you might be interested in. And a really good cover letter that can just have the job title changed and maybe afew other choices bits here and there for each job as well. I would even look at fast food or anyother service type job at this point until you can get some money. I wonder if you have thought of doing medical benefits such as Social Security. If you are this desperate any money would be of help. GOod luck to you!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I had a good sleep last night, and woke up, determined to feel better about my job hunt. I stopped by the store that I recently applied to (within the last week) and spoke to the manager-she pulled my application and said that she hadn't yet started interviews, but when she does, she'll give me a call. I feel a lot better about that.
Having a problem determining what actually constitutes a good cover letter though. Right now, the only places that are hiring fast food are looking for young kids...and I'm about 20 years too old. The store I applied to is General Dollar-if I get the job, I'm planning to stay on and go through their management training program.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166718)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Dec 12
One thing you might keep in mind is to keep your applications current. Especially at the places where you would really like to work. I would take down this manager's name and ask for her next time to check in.
Your local employment department is a wealth of information and help. Where I live you can call and make an appointment to talk to one of their reps(I guess is what they are called) and they can help you to determine what would be a good cover letter.
You might tell them at the General Dollar what your plans are and that your plan to be a long term employee. Most companies like to hear this. It costs them money to take on new employees and train them and all.
I always tell my kids(grandkids and daughter) that finding a job is just lke a job. Up early and out early. Managers are usually there early and that would be the time to talk to them.
Flexibility, willing to be a team player, and willing to do odd jobs looks really good in the employees eyes. I once continued to apply and keep my ap current until I got this on job I wanted. Took me about four months.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
13 Dec 12
Reading this reminded me that I really need to give my resume an overhaul again. I tend to update it frequently (about once every month or so), but that tends to be minor tweaks. I just went in and took a fresh look at it; I chopped out stuff that was really too stale to be on there and have tightened it up quite a bit.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I added a lot that demonstrated my leadership and recruiting skills, so that meant adding jobs. When I had my resume rewritten professionally, the woman suggested that I take many of those positions out because they were part time only, and leave it volunteer work because I held leadership positions. After reworking my resume last evening, I realized that in many of those positions she had me take out, I held team leader or supervisory positions. I put those in and took out the volunteer work instead. I've got some additional tweaking-I thought about some more today, so I'll rewrite it tonight once more before I publish it on CareerBuilder.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
13 Dec 12
it is a frustrating economic climate we currently live in because there are so many looking for work. it is very much like the Great Depression era when so many were unemployed.
my hubby has been unemployed several times over the 25 years that we have been married and i know how frustrating it really is. the last time he was unemployed, he went to a job fair at a fairly large company who were looking to hire about 150 people and well over 600 showed up!
you pretty much need to tailor your resume for each job you apply for.
hope you find something soon!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
Your husband's experience going to a job fair where the unemployed outnumbered the number of openings available are the reason I'm afraid to go to a job fair. When I started this search back in July, I did hear from a few places immediately. Even though I wasn't what they wanted, at least I knew what types of jobs I wasn't really qualified to do. Last time I heard anything was the day before Hurricane Sandy hit-and we lost power, so I forgot to respond back to set up an interview.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
I've rewritten the base one, that has all of my prior positions. I try to customize each one as it would best relate to the position I'm applying to. I've also begun to reformat it, and make it more readable. Thank you for your comments.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
13 Dec 12
That's what I'm trying to do. I need to stop doubting myself every time I apply for a job though-I think I'm mentally sabotaging myself.
